The ABCRS Maintenance of Certification (Part III Cognitive Exam) is required to recertify every ten years. The MOC examination has been designed to assess Diplomates knowledge in all phases of colon and rectal surgery and is offered once a year (in May) at Pearson Vue Testing Center.

The MOC Exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Pearson Vue Testing Center. Open registration at Pearson Vue Testing Center begins February 16, 2018 and instructions to register will be sent via email on February 1, 2018.

Please follow the directions below to apply for the 2018 exam – Deadline to Apply – September 1, 2017

1.) Access your MOC Profile – Click on Login, Enter your Username and Password, Click on MOC. Go to Part III (Cognitive Exam) Underneath the year(s) you are eligible to take the MOC Exam you will see a Start and Print button for each requirement to complete your MOC application materials.

2.) Maintenance of Certification Application – Click on Start. Fill out your MOC application on line, submit electronically, print, and sign. Submit the hard copy to the Board office by September 1, 2017.

3.) Operative Record – Click on Print. Fill out the form, which should include all colon and rectal operative procedures performed in the previous 12 months prior to your MOC application submission. Include both hospital (inpatient) and office (outpatient and less than 24-hours stay) procedures. Submit the completed form to the Board office by September 1, 2017.

4.) Photo ID Form – Click on the Print Button. Attach a passport size photo, sign and submit to the Board office by September 1, 2017.

5.) MOC Application Fee – The $350 MOC Application Fee is due by September 1, 2017 (the year before you take your exam). MOC Application approval takes place in October and you will be notified by email to submit your MOC Exam Fee by February 15th.

6. ) MOC Exam Fee – The $750 MOC Exam fee is due by February 15th (the same year you are scheduled to take your exam). Payments made February 16th – May 8th incur a $200 late fee. PLEASE NOTE: that your information will not be sent to Pearson Vue and you will not be able to register until your MOC requirements have been met and you have paid all of your fees.

HOW TO SUBMIT PAYMENT – You must access your MOC Profile –Click on Login, Enter your Username and Password, Click on MOC, Click on the Pay Button to submit payment via credit card. We do not accept credit card payments over the phone. If you prefer submit a check or money order to: American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery – 20600 Eureka Rd – Suite 600 – Taylor – MI – 48180 –Send all MOC inquiries to: the ABCRS office at email address mmann@abcrs.org or call (734) 282-9400

HOW TO REGISTER FOR YOUR MOC EXAM AT PEARSON VUE – After your MOC application is completed and fees processed, the ABCRS will email you with instructions (last week in February ) stating that you must schedule your examination directly with Pearson VUE by calling 1-800-507-7744 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, or visiting www.pearsonvue.com/abcrs. A MOC Authorization Examination Memo will be placed in your MOC Profile. Make sure the first name and last name (middle name is ignored) on your authorization memo matches the name on your two forms of required ID. If there is a discrepancy, contact the ABCRS office IMMEDIATELY at (734) 282-9400 or mmann@abcrs.org (please have this email on your SAFE SENDERS list!). Once you are officially registered with Pearson VUE, they will send you an e-mail confirmation of your schedule including the exam date, time, and location. See www.pearsonvue.com/abcrs for a list of testing center locations, along with directions and parking information. You should contact Pearson VUE directly with any questions about your exam date or location.

PEARSON VUE TESTING CENTER – COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATIONS WHAT TO EXPECTClick Here What To Expect Click Here Professional and Regulatory Candidate Rules Agreement 1.1
The ABCRS is pleased to offer a computer-based format for the ABCRS MOC Examination through Pearson VUE testing services. Pearson VUE features more than 200 professional testing centers in the U.S. and Canada. The MOC Examination take 130 minutes with time allocated for a 10 minute tutorial. If you must take an unscheduled break during an exam session, please keep in mind that the time you are away will be deducted from your examination time. Also, all unscheduled breaks will automatically trigger an incident report and possible post-exam keystroke review. Any unscheduled break of more than 15 minutes will invalidate the examination. During the day of your exam and test taking at Pearson Profession Testing Centers, please expect the following security measures:

Presentation of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, to verify your identityThe Primary ID should be a Government issued ID such as a Passport, Driver’s License, Military Card. These should be unexpired and have a photo and signature. A Secondary ID can be from the Primary list. IDs such as a debit or credit card with a signature only and unexpired are fine.

Digital thumbprint scan during on-site registration and each time you enter the testing room to ensure that the same person completes the entire examination

Storage of your possessions in a secure locker before entering the testing room

Proctor escort into and out of the testing room

Testing room videotaping and monitoring

ON THE DAY OF YOUR ABCRS MOC EXAM

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam to allow time for registration.

Two Forms of ID: Both must have your name and signature, and one must have your photo The Primary ID should be a Government issued ID such as a Passport, Driver’s License, Military Card. These should be unexpired and have a photo and signature. A Secondary ID can be from the Primary list. IDs such as a debit or credit card with a signature only and unexpired are fine.

Make sure the name on your two forms of ID matches the name on your authorization letter—if there is a discrepancy, contact the ABCRS office at 734-282-9400.

Strict security measures are employed at all testing centers to ensure the integrity of the exam process. You will be photographed and have your hand scanned for identification purposes during registration and upon re-entry to the exam room.

Do not bring any reference materials, notes, calculators, etc., with you to the center. A calculator and a whiteboard for taking notes will be available for use during the exam.

You will be given a private locker in which to store your personal belongings, including your coat, wallet, watch, cell phone, pager and keys, as you cannot bring these items into the exam room. The exam room is continuously videotaped.

No food or drinks are allowed in the exam room. You may wish to bring refreshments to place in your locker for breaks in the event no vending machines or stores are nearby. We also suggest you dress in layers in case you find the room too cold or hot, since you may not keep your coat. You may request earplugs or headphones if you find the room too noisy; however you may not bring your own.

SUGGESTED STUDY MATERIAL – The Maintenance of Certification Examination is designed to assess a diplomates’ knowledge in all phases of colon and rectal surgery. The 130 minute examination may include, but is not limited to material from:

ASCRS CARSEP PROGRAM – The Colon and Rectal Surgery Educational Program (CARSEP) consists of a Syllabus designed as a study vehicle preparatory to taking the ASCRS Self-Assessment Exam. The ASCRS CARSEPProgram is available for purchase from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. For additional information, please call the ASCRS at (847) 290-9184. The Syllabus, Exam Book, and Answers/Critiques/References comprise the CARSEP Program and include the following sections all of which should be thoroughly reviewed.

Case Studies

Photo Quiz

Answers, Critiques, and References

CORE LECTURE SUBJECTS – The Core Subjects were developed by the ABCRS and ASCRS to assist colon and rectal surgeons in the education and maintenance of certification (MOC) process, and consists of at least four years of Core Lecture Material. The Core Lecture material is available on-line only at the ASCRS Web Site www.fascrs.orgby clicking on “Physicians” on the Home page, then on “Education”.

CURRENT LITERATURE – In addition to the above study sources, the Board encourages diplomates to review all current literature including Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, other medical journals, current text book material including The ASCRS Textbook (2007) and The ASCRS Manual of Colon and Rectal Surgery (companion to the ASCRS Textbook).

CERTIFICATE OF MOC – The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery will issue a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) certificate to applicants who successfully complete the MOC process. Maintenance of Certification certificates will have a ten year limit, unless the original certificate carried no expiration date, in which case no time-limitation will be specified. Upon completing the MOC process, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery will supply pertinent data to the American Board of Medical Specialties for publication in The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. A Diplomate’s biographical entry will show whether or not the diplomate is “Meeting MOC Requirements” in colon and rectal surgery, as well as his/her original certification.

CERTIFICATION CREDIT – The ABCRS will waive 60 hours of Category I CME with self-assessment for achieving ABCRS certification or recertification during a three year cycle. This includes the certification that enrolls you in the ABCRS MOC program, which may be used toward your first MOC cycle. Certification credit is only good for the cycle in which certification or recertification is awarded; it cannot be applied toward the next cycle. If you are not in compliance with MOC, certification credit cannot be used toward re-entry.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PHYSICIANS RECOGNITION AWARD

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery does not give CME credits for successfully completing examinations, however, Certification and Maintenance of Certification Examinations are eligible for American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category I credits awarded directly by the AMA. A copy of the board certificate or the specialty board notification letter must be submitted to the AMA as documentation. The current assignment is (6) AMA PRA Category I Credits. Questions may be directed to cme@ama-assn.org. Resources are also available online at www.ama-assn.org/go/cmeforms

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery is a Member Board of
American Board of Medical Specialties.